Feed your skin the right foods

Your skin loves good food. Unlike you, though, your skin always prefers the most healthful foods. Your skin would never give in to a carb craving or go on an ice cream bender. Your skin loves vitamin- and mineral-filled fruits and vegetables, fibre-rich whole grains, lean protein, and only the right kinds of fat.

When you feed your body a balanced, wholesome diet, you may be less likely to experience premature signs of aging on sun-exposed sites of your skin or worsened symptoms of existing skin problems. And when you eat right, your skin shows its appreciation by appearing smoother and healthier.

Stock up on these skin-friendly foods:

• Colourful fruits and vegetables bursting with antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E protect your skin from oxidative damage. Try sweet potatoes, papaya, berries, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, kale, olives, apples, onions, garlic, or eggplant.
• The B vitamin biotin can give your skin a youthful and supple plump look, thanks to its role in your body's fat production. Try tomatoes, almonds, oats, eggs, or cucumbers for a bite of biotin.
• Legumes - beans, nuts, and peas - contain phytoestrogens, antioxidant phytochemicals (nutrients found in plants) that may protect against skin damage.
• Flavonoids, another type of antioxidant phytochemical, may also protect skin from free radical damage. Find flavonoids in fruits and vegetables with deep red colours, like berries, cherries, and dried plums.
• Healthy fats, like mono- and polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, support your skin's moisture levels, helping to prevent dry skin. Beneficial fats can be found in foods like olive oil, fish, flaxseed, and soybeans. Pairing healthy fats with vegetables may give the antioxidant potential a boost.

Avoid these skin-emies: Full-fat dairy products, red meat, potatoes, soft drinks, sweets, butter